Joe Flacco isn’t elite with regard to facts either

“They’ve always been an aggressive defense that can get up and stop the run and has some good pass coverage on the outside and secondary and has the outside guys that can rush,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “Obviously, I don’t think we’ve played against Von and he adds another element to those guys being able to head to the passer and have a guy on each side and also be a very good player in the run. You guys are a good defense. They can do all those things—stop the run, get to the passer, cover the pass well—so it will be a good challenge for us.”

It's nice that Joe Flacco respects his elders, and he's right about Von Miller, but we're not sure what universe he's living in--one in which the Broncos have always gotten up and stopped the run. In fact, here's where the Broncos have ranked in yards per carry on defense since 2005 (Flacco came into the league in 2008):

2005 - 15th

2006 - 14th

2007 - 31st

2008 - 30th

2009 - 27th

2010 - 29th

2011 - 13th

If by "great" Flacco means completely "average" or even "ugly," well then, he's right on the money. Lucky for the Broncos, this year is turning out to be quite different.

Related

Ted looks at the Baltimore Ravens in advance of tonight's season-opening game with the Broncos.

One of the main reasons I'd like to see the Broncos get in and win the Super Bowl is to put a ring on Bailey's hand. That guy's an icon in the sport. He deserves to be on a team that can accomplish winning a Super Bowl. Kinda bummed to see them pass more against him, as I'm sure part of it is age/performance-related. I'm hoping that the Denver defense gets after Flacculence a lot more than they managed against Palmer. Maybe if they can, they'll get him throwing Bailey's direction at the wrong times, and Bailey can get a few picks.

Any idea what the Broncos are planning with their new running back?

Posted by John Tomasik on 2012-12-13 10:39:34

At least the Dallas game,the eventual Super Bowl Champions,was competitive. The Broncos took the 4th quarter lead on a 81 yard touchdown pass from WR Arthur Marshall(who later wore Number 12 for the Giants) to Cedric Tillman before finally losing on a Emmit Smith 3 yard TD run . Marshall ended his career with a perfect QB rating,also notching a 30 yard TD pass in 93

Posted by Charlie Kirkpatrick on 2012-12-13 09:10:11

This is one of those cases where Flacco is talking to media types and its better to say the "blah blah blah, I respect my opponent" crap then to act like you are better then them (save that for the locker room). In Flaccos case, this helps the sting later when he gets to say..."see, told ya they were good"